8 Home Improvement Projects You Should Never Do Yourself

October 23, 2017Brian McCourt

Completing your own home improvement project can be incredibly rewarding, from the visual result to the well-deserved bragging rights while hosting friends (“look what I did!”) – not to mention the amount of money saved. While I'm the first person to encourage the average homeowner to tackle their own DIY or renovation project, there are certain tasks I strongly advise against doing yourself. Here are the top repair jobs that should always be left to the pros.

8 Home Improvement Projects You Should Never Do Yourself

October 23, 2017 Brian McCourt

Completing your own home improvement project can be incredibly rewarding, from the visual result to the well-deserved bragging rights while hosting friends (“look what I did!”) – not to mention the amount of money saved. While I'm the first person to encourage the average homeowner to tackle their own DIY or renovation project, there are certain tasks I strongly advise against doing yourself. Here are the top repair jobs that should always be left to the pros.

Repairing the Electrical Panel

Repairing the Electrical Panel

To state the obvious, you run the risk of setting your house on fire as well as electrocuting yourself – not so rewarding. To get more technical, you may one day have trouble selling your home. Any time you want to modify the electrical panel, you have to pull an electrical permit. If you don’t, then you won’t be able to obtain an ESA (Electrical Safety Association) Certificate, which an experienced home inspector would ask for when there’s evidence of a renovation. Let your certified electrician deal with the permit and panel work.

Repairing the Electrical Panel

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To state the obvious, you run the risk of setting your house on fire as well as electrocuting yourself – not so rewarding. To get more technical, you may one day have trouble selling your home. Any time you want to modify the electrical panel, you have to pull an electrical permit. If you don’t, then you won’t be able to obtain an ESA (Electrical Safety Association) Certificate, which an experienced home inspector would ask for when there’s evidence of a renovation. Let your certified electrician deal with the permit and panel work.

Major Plumbing

Major Plumbing

Many professionals will tell you not to touch any plumbing in your home, and in the name of safety, they have a point. If you’re a bit more advanced than the average person and know your stuff, you may decide to take on minor plumbing repairs like changing a vanity or installing a new dishwasher. Just stay away from more complicated jobs, such as adding a toilet in the basement and anything that involves a main stack or main supply line.

Major Plumbing

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Many professionals will tell you not to touch any plumbing in your home, and in the name of safety, they have a point. If you’re a bit more advanced than the average person and know your stuff, you may decide to take on minor plumbing repairs like changing a vanity or installing a new dishwasher. Just stay away from more complicated jobs, such as adding a toilet in the basement and anything that involves a main stack or main supply line.

Asbestos Removal

Asbestos Removal

We’ve all watched a renovation TV show where they find asbestos right before the commercial break, making it feel like renovation doomsday. That’s because it actually is. When asbestos becomes airborne and is inhaled into the lungs, it can lead to lung cancer as well as scarring of the lungs (asbestosis) among other issues. Not good!

Asbestos Removal

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We’ve all watched a renovation TV show where they find asbestos right before the commercial break, making it feel like renovation doomsday. That’s because it actually is. When asbestos becomes airborne and is inhaled into the lungs, it can lead to lung cancer as well as scarring of the lungs (asbestosis) among other issues. Not good!

Digging Out the Basement

Digging Out the Basement

A long time ago, I tried to dig out a basement on my own. My try lasted about six hours before I called for backup. A conveyer belt, seven dumpsters of earth and two weeks of non-stop digging did the trick. Lowering your basement requires significant foundation work and major labour. There are companies that specialize in basement underpinning, and while it’s a big investment (30K - 80K+), it’s not something that’s safe to do yourself.

Digging Out the Basement

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A long time ago, I tried to dig out a basement on my own. My try lasted about six hours before I called for backup. A conveyer belt, seven dumpsters of earth and two weeks of non-stop digging did the trick. Lowering your basement requires significant foundation work and major labour. There are companies that specialize in basement underpinning, and while it’s a big investment (30K - 80K+), it’s not something that’s safe to do yourself.

Waterproofing the Foundation

Waterproofing the Foundation

This job can be a huge undertaking, and it’s just not worth the risk of doing it yourself. It also happens to be more complicated than just digging up the earth around your house and installing a membrane. There needs to be weeping tile at the bottom, and in some cases, a sump pump is needed for proper drainage. A specialized waterproofing company isn’t cheap, but they should have a 15-25 year warranty (if they don’t, you hired the wrong company).

Waterproofing the Foundation

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This job can be a huge undertaking, and it’s just not worth the risk of doing it yourself. It also happens to be more complicated than just digging up the earth around your house and installing a membrane. There needs to be weeping tile at the bottom, and in some cases, a sump pump is needed for proper drainage. A specialized waterproofing company isn’t cheap, but they should have a 15-25 year warranty (if they don’t, you hired the wrong company).

Installing a Skylight

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Installing a Skylight

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

The roof is the least practical spot for a window… yet, who doesn’t love a skylight?! These sun-filled holes in your roof are notorious for leaks because they are often installed improperly or the window seal deteriorates over time, allowing water to enter your home. While skylight design has improved, you’ll still want to hire a professional to install it.

Installing a Skylight

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The roof is the least practical spot for a window… yet, who doesn’t love a skylight?! These sun-filled holes in your roof are notorious for leaks because they are often installed improperly or the window seal deteriorates over time, allowing water to enter your home. While skylight design has improved, you’ll still want to hire a professional to install it.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Replacing the Roof

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Replacing the Roof

I’ve heard about one too many serious injuries caused by people falling off their roof. I’m going to resist preaching about the importance of wearing a harness while doing roof repairs and instead say: hire a professional! It’s not worth the cost savings. Anyone who attempts to do it themselves will also grow a deep appreciation for the impeccable metal flashing bends that experienced roofers achieve around the chimney and other areas.

Replacing the Roof

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I’ve heard about one too many serious injuries caused by people falling off their roof. I’m going to resist preaching about the importance of wearing a harness while doing roof repairs and instead say: hire a professional! It’s not worth the cost savings. Anyone who attempts to do it themselves will also grow a deep appreciation for the impeccable metal flashing bends that experienced roofers achieve around the chimney and other areas.

Stuccoing the Exterior

Stuccoing the Exterior

Stucco is a lot like a tapered pant. It was in and then it was out, and now it’s in again. But a bad stucco job is worse than an overly tight pair of trousers (or is it?). Anyway, the consequence of improperly stuccoing your home isn’t as great as the rest of these DIY Don’ts, but there’s something sacred about the work of a masonry artisan – especially on the facade. So let the experts stick to what they do best and enjoy your beautifully finished home in the process.

Stuccoing the Exterior

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Stucco is a lot like a tapered pant. It was in and then it was out, and now it’s in again. But a bad stucco job is worse than an overly tight pair of trousers (or is it?). Anyway, the consequence of improperly stuccoing your home isn’t as great as the rest of these DIY Don’ts, but there’s something sacred about the work of a masonry artisan – especially on the facade. So let the experts stick to what they do best and enjoy your beautifully finished home in the process.